68.240. Performance Standards for Private Facilities

Saint Paul Legislative Code tit. VIII, ch. 68, art. II, div. 4

in effect

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.241 Purpose.

Sec. 68.241. - Purpose. The purpose of this division is to establish design standards for private facilities that are consistent with best management practices and that minimize impacts on primary conservation areas, public river corridor views and other resources identified in the MRCCA plan. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.242 General design standards.

Sec. 68.242. - General design standards. All private facilities must be developed in accordance with the vegetation management and land alteration requirements in divisions 6 and 7. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.243 Private roads, driveways, and parking areas.

Sec. 68.243. - Private roads, driveways, and parking areas. Except as provided in division 9, private roads, driveways and parking areas must: (a) Be designed to take advantage of natural vegetation and topography so that they are not readily visible (defined in section 68.214); (b) Comply with structure setback requirements according to Section 68.236; and (c) Not be placed within the bluff impact zone or shore impact zone, unless exempt under division 9 and designed consistent with section 68.252. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.244 Private water access and viewing facilities.

Sec. 68.244. - Private water access and viewing facilities. (a) Private access paths must be no more than eight (8) feet wide if placed within the shore impact zone, and no more than four (4) feet wide if placed within the bluff impact zone. (b) Private water access ramps must comply with Minnesota Rules, chapters 6115.0210 and 6280.0250, and must be designed and constructed consistent with the applicable standards in Design Handbook for Recreational Boating and Fishing Facilities. (c) Design and construction of private stairways, lifts, and landings are subject to the following standards. (1) Stairways and lifts must not exceed four (4) feet in width on residential lots. Wider stairways may be used for commercial properties and residential facilities held in common if approved by the zoning administrator. (2) Landings for stairways and lifts on residential lots must not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. Landings larger than thirty-two (32) square feet area allowed for commercial properties and residential facilities held in common if approved by the zoning administrator. (3) Canopies or roofs are prohibited on stairways, lifts, or landings. (4) Stairways, lifts, and landings must be located in the least visible portion of the lot whenever practical. (5) Ramps, lifts, mobility paths, or other facilities for persons with physical disabilities are allowed for achieving access to shore areas according to section 68.244(c)(1-4), and as provided under section 68.229. (d) One water-oriented accessory structure is allowed for each riparian lot or parcel less than three hundred (300) feet in width at the ordinary high water level, with one (1) additional water-oriented accessory structure allowed for each additional three hundred (300) feet of shoreline on the same lot or parcel. Water-oriented accessory structures are prohibited in the bluff impact zone, must not exceed twelve (12) feet in height, must not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet in area, and must be placed a minimum of ten (10) feet from the ordinary high water level. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.245 Decks and patios in setback areas.

Sec. 68.245. - Decks and patios in setback areas. Decks and at-grade patios may encroach into the required setbacks from the ordinary high water level and blufflines when consistent with divisions 6 and 7, provided that the deck or patio does not extend into the bluff impact zone, the encroachment of the deck or patio into the required setback area does not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the required structure setback, and the area of the deck or patio that extends into the required setback area occupies no more than 25 percent of the total area between the required setback and the fifteen (15) percent using the formula: [Required setback depth (feet) x 0.15 x lot width (feet) at the required structure setback x 0.25 = maximum total area]. See Figure 68.245. [image omitted; see the official code] Figure 68.245. Deck and Patio Encroachment (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.246 Off-premises and directional signs.

Sec. 68.246. - Off-premises and directional signs. (a) Off-premises advertising signs must meet required structure placement and height standards in sections 68.234 and 68.236, and must not be readily visible (defined in section 68.214). (b) Directional signs for patrons arriving at a business by watercraft must be consistent with Minn. Stat., § 86B.115, must be no greater than ten (10) feet in height and thirty-two (32) square feet in surface area, and if located in a shore impact zone must only convey the location and name of the establishment and the general types of goods and services available. If illuminated, the lighting must be fully shielded and directed downward to prevent illumination out across the river or to the sky. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITVIIIZOCO_CH68ZOCOLOMARICOOVDI_ARTII68.200.MRMIRICOCRAROVDI_DIV468.240.PESTPRFAFetched: 11/1/2026